It’s the Pits – Natural Deodorant Dilemmas

If this is your very first time switching to natural deodorant, I suggest you read our original blog post about making the switch from big-box antiperspirant to natural deodorant. This post is geared more towards people who are crossing into their third week of using natural deodorant.

Dilemma #1 – Still Feeling Stinky

*NOTE – It’s normal to wake up in the morning and have some odor under your arms. This is not unusual and does not create a call-to-action. Remember, natural deodorants are not created to block any of your body’s normal expelling of sweat, so you’re bound to develop some smell overnight (especially if you normally shower in the morning.)

Make sure you are giving your underarms a truly thorough wash in the shower every single day. This includes exfoliating (try an exfoliating soap, like Mocha Coffee Break).

If you are using a baking soda free version of natural deodorant (like It’s the Pits), try reapplying in the afternoon to see if that quells the smell.

If you’ve done both of the above and you still feel stinky, you may need to upgrade your version to a deodorant with baking soda (like It’s the Pits Plus).

Dilemma #2 – Sweaty Pits

*NOTE – For normal daily activities, by week three, your sweating should have tapered off, but it will never eliminate. You’re not using an antiperspirant, so your underarms are free to sweat normally.

If you are sweating excessively, try dipping a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and running it over your pits before going to bed. Wash it off in the shower in the morning; this should help to balance out your pH.

Consider taking a look at your diet – Do you consume a lot of caffeine? If so, try replacing caffeinated beverages with water as caffeine raises your heart rate which leads to excessive sweating.

If sweating is truly out of control, speak with a medical doctor.

Dilemma #3 – Staining Clothes

Be sure your armpits are completely dry before applying your natural deodorant. When applying, rub the cream completely into the skin and allow a couple of moments for the cream to absorb before putting on your clothes.

If natural deodorant does rub off on your dark clothes, it should easily wash off in your washing machine.

If natural deodorant rubs off on your light clothes and causes a “sweat ring,” consider using a liquid stain pre-treatment or even rubbing in some dishwashing liquid (regular dish soap, not dish soap for a dishwasher).

Washing your clothes with about one cup of baking soda will help eliminate stains on your clothing.

Dilemma #4 – Dry, Flaking Underarms

*NOTE – Your underarm area is a very sensitive skin which should be treated similarly to the skin on your face.

Moisturize your underarms before applying deodorant to help protect and nourish the sensitive skin.

Try dipping a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and running it over your pits before going to bed. Wash it off in the shower in the morning. Along with balancing your pH and helping to stave off sweat, the vinegar will help eliminate dry, flaky skin.

Are you experiencing any other problems while you switch to natural deodorant? Let us know in the comments so we can help you address the issues!